"PANAMA DRUG CONNECTION"

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00005R000100110011-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 16, 2012
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: February 3, 1988
• Content Type: REPORT

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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP90M00005R000100110011-2
OCA 0314-88
RADIO TV REPORTS, IN
4701 WL1ARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 2Ge15 (m) 6564263
PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF
ATTN: Pat
FROOGAM NBC Nightly News
February 3, 1988
482-6790
MUM WRC TV
NBC Network
7:00 PM aTY Washington, DC
"Panama Drug Connection"
TOM BROKAW: There are two strong, new links tonight in
the Panama drug connection. Three American soldiers and a
Panamanian have been arrested in Puerto Rico after 77 pounds of
cocaine was found in a U. S. military plane that they Flew there
from Panama. And Customs officials in Houston have seized 160
pounds of cocaine, worth about $5 1/2 million, from a Panamanian
grain shipment.
All of this comes as federal prosecutors in Miami and
Tampa prepare to seek a drug smuggling indictment against General
Manuel Noriega, who is Panama's military leader. And now, as
NBC's Brian Ross reports tonight, there are new questions about
Norieges drug connections and his relationship with the CIA.
BRIAN ROSS: The drug smuggling indictment of General
Noriega is expected to be a great embarrassment to the American
CIA, which congressional sources say has had Noriega on its
payroll for $200,000 a year for at least ten years. The CIA said
it would not confirm nor deny the payments.
Rut on Capitol Hill, congressional investigators say
there is evidence the CIA continued its payments to Noriega even
though it was known he W28 a major cocaine smuggler. Senator
John Kerry will chair hearings next week-on Noriega, the cocaine
cartel and the CIA.
SENATOR JOHN KERRY [D-Mass.): I'm satisfied that our
relationship with General Noriega continued during the period of
time that General Noriega was known by people within our
government to be involved in a number of illegal or illicit
activities.
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP90M00005R000100110011-2
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ROSS: An Important witness against General Noriega is
Jose Blandon, a Former political adviser to Noriege who broke
with him late lest year and is now under federel protection in
this country.
In testimony before the Miami grand jury, Blandon said
this Panamanian air strip was provided by Nonage in 1984 as part
of an escape route for Colombian drug bosses wanted for the
murder of the Colombian Attorney General. Blandon says Noriega
was paid a million dollars a month to hide the Colombians in
Panama.
How many months were they in Panama?
JOSE BLANDON: Seven months.
ROSS: Seven months?
BLANDON: Yes. And they paid for that.
ROSS: Under the protection of General Noriega.
BLANDON: Yes.
ROSS: And so they were wanted in Colombia and they hid
in Panama....
General?
BLANDON: Yes.
ROSS: ...after the assassination of the Attorney
BLANDON: Yes.
ROSS: And how much did they pay to General Noriege?
BLANDON: Well, almost seven million dollars. So
Noriega in the last five years has converted the government of
Panama in a criminal enterprise.
ROSS: The Justice Department has now given prosecutors
in Miami and Tampa the approval to go before grand juries
tomorrow to seek Noriegals indictment. The charges against
Noriega are expected to be announced on Friday.
Brian Ross, NBC News, Washington.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP90M00005R000100110011-2